From Vanadzor to Shanghai – My Journey Continues

Hello! I am Hovik Martirosyan, a junior at New York University’s Faculty of Data Science, a graduate of the Armath engineering program, and an active young man from Vanadzor who needs your financial support to continue his studies at the university of his dreams.

What are the obstacles in my way?

In February 2023, my life changed forever. I was admitted to the Department of Data Science at New York University Shanghai. My joy doubled when I learned that the university awarded me a partial scholarship of $51,800 USD per year for my academic achievements and extracurricular activity, leaving around $36,000 USD per year for me and my family to cover.

Although this financial challenge was significant, I managed to start my studies in Shanghai thanks to the tremendous help of my family, friends, and supporters through last year’s fundraiser. As a result, I successfully completed my first two academic years at NYU Shanghai. Now, I am preparing to start my junior year — the next crucial step toward earning my degree — but once again, I face the challenge of covering my tuition fees.

During this academic year, I will also have the unique opportunity to spend one semester studying away at the NYU New York campus, gaining valuable experience in the heart of the global tech and finance hub, which will enrich my education and broaden my perspectives.

How can you help me?

To overcome these financial challenges, my family and I are launching a new fundraiser. With your help, we hope to collect part of the needed amount, allowing me to continue my studies at one of the world’s best data science programs for another year.

For the 2025–26 academic year, I need to raise $36,000 USD. This must be paid in two installments:

• $18,000 USD by September 1, 2025
• $18,000 USD by January 1, 2026

Your support can make a huge difference in my life and help me achieve my dream.

Here’s how you can contribute:

• Donate: Any amount you give — big or small — will bring me closer to my goal and reduce the financial burden on my family.
• Spread the word: Share my story with friends, family, and on social media.
• Support: Words of encouragement are as valuable as financial contributions.

You can see the total budget here.

How will your investment change my life?

Your help will not only allow me to continue receiving a world-class education, but it will also contribute to the creation of another skilled Armenian specialist — a long-term investment in the development of Armenia’s IT sector. In the future, my journey will also inspire students from Armenian regions to pursue higher education at the world’s top universities, regardless of financial challenges.

My Path and Achievements

My love for numbers and mathematics began in school. I took part in many mathematics Olympiads and competitions, which also introduced me to the world of chess. Among my achievements:

• Best results in Kangaroo International Mathematical Competition (2017, 2018, 2020)
• Participation in the Republican Mathematics Olympiads (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021)
• First Class Diploma in 2017 for deep knowledge of mathematics in the inter-university republican olympiad
• 1st place in the intra-school rounds of the 10th and 11th Chess Olympiad of RA schoolchildren
• Participant in the 2nd Pan-Armenian Chess Tournament in 2021, organized by AGBU Armenian Virtual University and Chess Academy of Armenia

Mathematics also led me to programming. At age 8, I began attending the Armath Engineering Makerspace program, where my mother, Armine, was a group leader. I learned programming from an early age and went on to win youth programming competitions such as Vozni 2019 and DigiCode 2022.

One of my most meaningful achievements came in 2017, when my team “VanRob” won first place in the “Line-following Robots” competition at DigiCamp. That event gave me the opportunity to meet Karen Vardanyan, founder of Armath Engineering Labs, and Gagik Ginosyan, founder of the “Karin” folk song-dance group. Their advice inspired me to aim for excellence and to one day return to Armenia to make a meaningful contribution to our history, culture, and development.

Exploring New Fields

My curiosity also led me to media literacy. In 2021, after participating in a 4-day hackathon in Dilijan, my friends and I founded the CheckLur startup. We presented it at the 2022 DigiTech Expo, which reinforced my belief in the importance of critical thinking and responsible media use. In 2023, I completed the Digital Citizen Ambassadors program and earned the title of Digital Citizen Ambassador.

Through the International Youth Green Camp on Social and Green Entrepreneurship, I also realized the urgent need for sustainable change. This inspired me to found the Environmental Club at NYU Shanghai, where I’m working on projects that I hope to one day bring to Armenia.Why Data Science and Why Me?

I chose Data Science at NYU Shanghai because it equips me with the skills to use modern technology in innovative and sustainable ways. During my first two years in Shanghai, I:

• Deepened my knowledge of mathematics and programming
• Completed multiple Python projects, including chat applications and game prototypes
• Was featured in a university article about my journey and future goals
• Became a member of the chess club and won many tournaments

With strong academic progress and a great passion for learning, I am ready to begin my junior year — including my semester at NYU New York — but I can only do it with your support.

You are welcome to support me through the reArmenia platform or use the information below:

AMERIABANK HOVIK MARTIROSYAN

BANK ACCOUNT:

AMD: 1570026311153100

USD: 1570094654260101

CARD NUMBER: 4083060040122547

By helping me, you will not only invest in my education but also inspire future Armenian students to dream beyond their limits.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. With your help, I can continue my education, achieve my dreams, and work toward making a positive impact on Armenia and the world.